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Skinny, sexy, and wheat-free: One year success on Wheat Belly!

By Dr. Davis | December 3, 2012

Gary first joined in the wheat-free conversation about a year ago: There has been no turning back.

If you lose 55 pounds, earn the envy of friends and neighbors, look like you did 30 years earlier, while losing a multitude of health problems . . . is there ANY reason to go back to a life plagued by “healthy whole grains”?

I was one of the earliest people to begin Wheat Belly, beginning this lifestyle the very week the book came out. Another 6 weeks will mark a full year that the 55lbs I lost following Wheat Belly has stayed off. I finally resized my wedding ring, as it would constantly slip off, having been reluctant to do so because no weight-loss attempt I had ever tried in the past ever worked beyond a few months! I now weigh what I did when I was 16 or 17 years old, after over two decades of obesity since gaining that first “Freshman 10” in college. With the benefit of hindsight, I now chuckle about my initial fears: life without bread? I don’t have to worry about fat? I can enjoy eggs for breakfast? Is this going to send my blood profile through the roof? I just cannot help but laugh: I did all of this without hunger, without working out, without counting calories, merely avoiding a handful of foods and eating all I desired of the other gazillion things to eat!

People always gasp at my weight loss (I look like a different person) and naturally ask how I achieved it. They first say, “I could never give up bread!” Frankly, that ultimately proved to be so easy. I fought cravings the first week, but I just kept some almonds and dark chocolate chips handy, experiencing how just a few nuts could amazingly satisfy any craving. The most remarkable thing about eating this way was how quickly my appetite changed, settling down to a point where hunger and cravings and cycles became non-existent, perhaps for the first time in my life. And then the weight starting melting away! You can tell people about this, but until they experience it firsthand they have no idea just how profound it is!

I have helped many people get started on the Wheat Belly lifestyle, and follow the blog and Facebook page often. I always tell people getting started to just pick a time frame of 2-3 weeks and just dive in and not commit beyond that. Believe it or not, for so many people that is all it takes to reap many benefits – not just weight loss, but health benefits like improved skin, improved digestion, reduced or eliminated joint pain, eliminated acid reflux. A few weeks was all it took for me to decide I was never going back! After all, it doesn’t cost anything – no “special shakes” to buy, no repetitive meals like grapefruit 3 times a day, no 5 a.m. workouts before work. I also suggest to people getting started to not worry about trying to find or make “substitute” bread products, rather I recommend they just reconnect with real foods: meats, fish, vegetables, nuts, olives, cheese, eggs. I waited almost two months before I decided I would enjoy a wheat-free treat like almond flour cookies or muffins.

My life is so different now. I have more energy than ever, and am so hopeful and excited knowing that my next 48 years will be filled with active adventure and fun, instead of doctor’s visits, statin drugs, diabetes, and stiff and achy joints.

Gary experienced a dramatic reduction in hunger and cravings by cutting out wheat, contrary to the endlessly repeated advice from the USDA and other “official” providers of nutritional advice to eat more “healthy whole grains.” This is because he stopped being exposed to the gliadin protein of wheat, the appetite-stimulating opiate. Free of the bonds of appetite-stimulation, Gary was free to begin his journey of incredible weight loss and once again seize back the health he had lost. “Healthy whole grains” be damned!

Gary makes an excellent point: Just reconnect with real food. Go back to the foods we’ve been told to avoid, like eggs, meats, and full-fat dairy. When you’ve mastered this big first step, then move onto the recipes that allow you to recreate pizza, chocolate chip cookies, and muffins–minus wheat, no gluten-free booby-trapped junk carbohydrates, no sugar–just delicious and healthy!

Comments & Feedback...

I have the book and am ready and willing to go for the wheat-free lifestyle., especially after reading this post! What an amazing and inspiring story! My problem? I am on the anti-depressant drug Lexapro. It is a low dosage, but it has caused me to gain unwanted pounds. I am hopeful that I can wean myself off of it if/when this wheat-free diet really kicks in, but until that time, it isn’t a good idea to quit. How do I manage to lose the weight when the Lexapro is fighting it? I tried the Wheat Belly diet for about four weeks, lost five pounds in the first week and a half, then it just stopped. No continued weight loss, and I got discouraged. Any words of advice?

Anne, it is a journey. I think the benefits of wheat-free and low-carb are tremendous. Don’t get tied down to the scale, just relax and enjoy the ride. Talk to your doc about your meds, and also make sure your thyroid is in good order, as that I understand can be a stumbling block. I started this on a whim, as a weight loss thing – frankly I would take the weight back just to keep all of the amazing health benefits. Just focus on healthy eating and I bet you the rest just takes care of itself. Good luck on your journey, and follow this blog and the facebook page for support!

Gary, what an inspiring message! Congratulations and thanks for being a source of strength and hope for the rest of us! I just quit smoking about 40 days ago, and have been pouring on the weight since–I’ve got to get back to healthy eating! thanks again!

I don’t take any drugs, and I don’t loose any weight (even if my thyroide gland is suppose to be ok, as my doctor told me)… It’s been 3 months I eat the WB style, no sugar at all, no wheat, no grains… but the benefits are so good, that it’s worth it to continue… I think you have to continue, think positive and you gonna heal from your depression as well Anne. Life is good without wheat!

You’re so right that the health benefits are so much more than a number on the scale. However, I recommend you read through the Thyroid Disease category on this website and find out what your actual free T3, T4 and TSH numbers are. For years, my doctor told me my thyroid was “within normal levels” with my medication; not until I discovered Wheat Belly did I learn that “normal” levels are enough to prevent weight loss for some people. I had to get a new doctor willing to work with ME (not one-size-fits-all lab results) to get the proper levels. I feel better now and the weight is slowly starting to come off – I even lost a pound and a half over Thanksgiving. You’re doing good, Annie!

Thanks LorLor for your kind words… I think you’re right, so I’m gonna call the receptionnist to have a copy of the results (because I don’t know what are my T3, T4 and TSH numbers). My feet and hands are always cold, so I think that should be an indicator… But here in Québec it’s very difficult to find a doctor, and I can’t change easily… :-(
I only have 10 pounds to loose, so maybe that’s the reason why it’s difficult?

I just wanted to say congrats to everyone here, and to chip in with my own success story! I didn’t have any big, dramatic health problems, but just several lingering or nagging issues: IBS, insomnia, swings in appetite, energy, and mood, allergies, and slowed healing after injury. I was working out a lot, and I thought that I had “fixed” my diet, so all these little, nagging problems were driving me nuts. What was I doing wrong? Was I getting old already at the age of 37? I read Dr. Davis’ book, and have been wheat-free for 3 months, plus I’ve minimized other grains. It was like night and day! Within the first week, there was an immediate drop in appetite, and an increase in energy levels throughout the day without the need to constantly snack or to guzzle coffee. After that, insomnia has improved, IBS has gone away completely, allergies have gradually improved, and my running mileage has picked up with fewer injuries. And the weight loss! After three months, all of my old pants are too big! Going off wheat is such a simple and powerful idea. Thanks Dr. Davis!

Chuck, this sounds exactly like symptoms my husband has had on and off for years. After reading Wheat Belly I am trying to cut back more on wheat products but haven’t gone completely free. After reading through some posts here I am ready to commit to it starting now! I am hoping to convince my husband to try it as well. He’s got those annoying little illnesses that no one can pinpoint the cause to but plague his life so that he just generally feels unwell all the time. I think he would so benefit from being wheat free but he does love his cookies! How long did you find before you started to see some positive changes in your life after going wheat free?

I started my “Wheat Belly” lifestyle in September 2011. I had tried low carb before but it always seemed too complicated or something. Cutting one thing – wheat, just seemed so simple. We (my husband and I) cut the wheat but it wasn’t long before we then cut all the other carbs because it was just so easy to do that. Results were slow but constant and I have now lost 35 lbs (16 kilos). I was pre-diabetic but now have normal blood results not to mention a raft of other conditons which are better.

I realise now that I was totally a wheat addict, sugar was never my craving – I just never knew that wheat had the same effect on my body as sugar did. I no longer crave wheat products at all – the length of time i have been eating this way is just my normality now. I am so grateful to Dr Davis and all the other wonderful people who have put this message out there.

It can be done – and this is from a 56 year old woman who has joined and failed at WW and Jenny Craig more times than I can count!!

Thanks, Lynda–an inspiration to me to let go of those “last few little things” that I know are not doing me any good, esp. sugar. I am your age and also tried to solve the problem with WW at least four times. I realized recently that WW worked so often and failed so often because at the beginning, all the wheat foods are discouraged (in the old days, eliminated). Then you gain back the weight nearly overnight when you re-introduce all those “healthy” foods in “reasonable” portions. For me, starting WW also kicked in a life-long difficulty with “disordered” eating after early teens of being too underweight, starving to death “counting” calories and points and all the rest of that ridiculous stuff. Now on these few weeks wheat-free, I’m going hours at a time without even thinking about food, and that’s saying something pretty amazing. I do think for me the next level is to completely respect the “never” list and be vigilant about the “limited” list (where I know I do much of my comfort eating).

My son texted me with the exciting news that they have “Wheat Belly” at the Whole Foods store where he works.
In response to this post, the minute someone says to me “I could never give up…..(some food item)” I think “what is the definition of addiction?”

I gave up wheat over a year ago, and still have insane sugar cravings! I don’t crave bread at all, just candy.
I try to keep it out of the house, but it makes me so crazy I will go to the store and buy those huge tubs at wal-mart even though it makes me feel so horrible, so I avoid it for a week or so, but then the cravings come back just as strong and I just keep going back for more.
I demanded an insulin test from the doctor and it was above normal, but he wouldn’t do anything about it, I imagine that’s part of my cravings and trying to find out more info and see a different doctor is impossible! (you American’s do NOT want universal health care).
And the strangest thing is that I’ve been suddenly craving alcohol. I am a person that only ever drank once or twice a year at weddings or Christmas parties, and always felt the taste of alcohol was disgusting. The other day I went out with a friend and ordered some and couldn’t even taste the alcohol and thought the bartender missed it, and my friend said it was strong. And think about it all the time. Have you heard of this, do you think it’s related to the insulin, has anybody else who dropped wheat had the same experience? Do you think that I could be missing on any nutrients or something?

Allison,
My husband and I have been one the diet for about three weeks. He is suffering from the same thing mad sugar/ candy cravings, I haven’t had any craving for sweets at all and I was the worst for candy muncher out of the two of us. I noticed yesterday when I went to pick up cold cuts that all the cold cut meats are laced with corn syrup , rice/ corn starch, can sugar , etc. I though no, I am not getting that for hubby to munch on. Strangely, I tend to eat eggs for breakfast instead of cold cuts and leave the cold cuts for my hubby to consume for morning breakfast. I decide to make cold cuts the old fashion way just buy roasts, whole chickens etc so I know what has been added and slice it up. I think this will knock out his sweet tooth. I would check the other items you are eating anything with corn, rice, sugar, and other blood level rising ingredients. Make sure if it has a label it is simple, such as almonds , one or two ingredients they hide sugar and starches in everything.(spice mixes are the worst for wheat added)

That’s interesting Rebecca, maybe that’s all it takes to trigger the sweet tooth. For meals I try to stick to just veggies and meats, and I have eggs for breakfast. I have noticed that I won’t buy a spice or meat if it’s laced with sugar, corn starch or wheat, but then go and buy a tub of candy! Though I do stay away from the candy with wheat in it at least. Rediculous! LOL.
Maybe just by talking about how stupid it is, I will gather up some extra willpower next craving. Thanks everybody!

Allison,
I would check candy you buy too it may very well have wheat, I know that most candy I can’t touch being celiac. Chocolate, gummies and even hard candies fall victim to added wheat this could be triggering more consumption. I hope you get to the bottom of it,

In my opinion, yes, there is a connection. Male pattern baldness may be caused by too many androgens. Wheat is a phyton-estrogen increasing estrogen levels in males and females.
Since starting Wheat Belly one year ago, my hair has started to regrow! It is soft and surprisingly curly as in the days of my early youth. And the grey is disappearing!

I am so excited to begin this lifestyle. I have always known I was addicted to bread, but did not understand the science behind it. a few weeks ago I went on low carb diet and lost 8 lbs in one week. then my grandchildren came to stay and I started eating bread with them, it came back immediately. It is so simple, i believe this is the ticket I have been waiting for my whole life.

Jeff,
I have heard several reports of hair growth – especially women and their eyebrows, lol. I know one guy who experienced a marked increase in hair growth – he had resorted to just shaving his head and being bald. He since started letting it grow after he noticed he was having to shave more often, and voila, he has hair. Whether hormones or the improved skin condition, I don’t know.

Hi Jeff,
I have seen hair re-growth, just about the existing hairline though. I don’t expect a full recovery but I’m happy to get anything. I’m 46 and have been wheat free for 7 weeks. It could be the reduction in stress, inflammation or bp (i’ve gone from 140/90 to 121/83)

Dr. D, I have a conundrum. My husband just got his blood work back from his yearly physical. He’s a federal police officer so his exams for his job go through the military system which is generally . . . . . . lackluster, let’s say. His waist measurement dropped by 2 inches. His weight dropped by 6 pounds. His vision improved by an unknown quantity (the NP didn’t quantify, just said it was better). His hearing improved by 30 points. However, his total cholesterol went UP by 20 points (220 to 240). DER Now, I haven’t yet convinced him to significantly reduce his intake of sugar and other sweeteners and I know at work he eats the occasional sandwich, pizza when it’s brought in, and so on. Is this a case of he just has to buckle down and be tougher on himself about work food?

It has always been this way, and has been mentioned before.
Here’s the workaround:
Use an external search engine, such as Google.
Restrict site to this site, using the Advanced menu, or string:
site:wheatbellyblog.com

It takes a day or so for new content to get indexed.
Usually, you can’t find what you’re looking for, due to faulty memory of exact terms or phrases.

Bookmark any discussion you really want to follow. Click on the gray date near the poster’s name. Bookmark that. Note that the link will go stale when the discussion ages off into “Older”.

Congratulations to you Gary and everyone else who has found this wonderful wheat free lifestyle!
My story;
I’m 59 & went wheat free 2 months ago. As of today I have lost 23 pounds and feel wonderful!
I’ve tried so many diets, lost weight & gained it back many times, gradually getting fatter & fatter with a big belly. These other diets were always a struggle, with food always on my mind. I always ate what I thought was the best, whole grain bread, cereals & pasta, organic meats, dairy & produce and baked my own sweets so I could control the ingredients. I gave up soda pop 10 years ago and learned to love dark chocolate. I counted calories, walked and tried to exercise with joints aching from arthritis and the 70+ extra pounds, I was carrying around. Weight loss was so slow and a constant effort. I was depressed and pretty much decided I would be fat the rest of my life. Not any more!
I had decided to try eliminating wheat, cold turkey, after seeing an article about D. Davis online. I felt such a difference in a couple of days, like a fog had lifted and I felt so much happier! Now if I feel blue, I have my moment and then I am able to pull myself up and reconnect with the all the good things in my life! I also noticed my arthritis was remarkably better. Now, I’m not thinking of food all the time, because I just do not crave it. I don’t feel like I’m on a “diet”, I still like to eat, but I’m living life without it being centered on food. It’s hard to explain, what I do feel. It’s a feeling I had long lost, a true hunger when it is time to eat. What I want now is more veggies (because they now taste so good!), meats, poultry, fish, some good cheese & dairy, a piece of fruit, sometimes wild rice& legumes, lots of nuts, and still my piece of dark chocolate!
I have no cravings for wheat products because feeling this good trumps ever wanting to even try a slice of wheat bread. I also have relied on simple natural foods and have not yet tried any of the alternative recipes on this site for bread, as I am not missing it. Big organic romaine leaves are my best friend for replacing bread for a sandwich or a taco shell! I am looking forward to the Wheat Belly Cookbook though!
Thank you so much Dr. Davis, this has been life changing for me!

I think so… unless if you’re really trying to lose weight or induce ketosis, because I think (someone can correct me if I’m wrong) that almonds & coconuts are high in calories and might slow down your weight loss or prevent ketosis. I know that if I eat too much almond flour such as in a flatbread my weight loss stalls a bit for a few days…

Before anyone goes on a drastic life-style change, please read the facts on GMO grains. All wheat grown in the US is NON-GMO wheat! Now, the Corn in grown in the US IS GMO corn, and THAT is what you want to be careful of. This info is simple to find if you Google it.

It is not GMO wheat causing people to gain weight, it’s the fact that Americans eat too many simple carbs, such as processed baked goods, pastas, and sugar. Anyone will lose weight by reducing their intake of simple carbs and processed foods, as well as sodium. Americans also do not exercise enough.

Use common sense to lose weight; see your doctor and a registered dietician. Eat less bread, pasta, sugar, and processed foods. If you do need to have a slice of bread, then eat an organic whole-grain variety. Eat more veggies, cut back the salt, and eat a piece of fruit to satisfy that sweet tooth. Get up from your desk every hour and go for a walk around the office. Get outside for fresh air everyday and get at least 30-60 minutes of exercise daily. Common sense, people!

Hi Nicole. Doc does not claim that modern semi-dwarf wheat has been genetically modified as according to current definitions of GMO. However, it has been significantly genetically altered through crossing, back-crossing, and things like mutagenesis (sp?). It has more chromosomes, changed gene sequences, even looks different. And regardless of carbohydrates, it contains gliadin and more potent lectins. As you note, watching carbs, generally, is a big part of health and weight loss. Likewise, avoiding the damage and appetite stimulating properties caused by wheat is another big part. Taking these two concepts together, you have Wheat Belly.

P.S. The studies show that rigorous exercise is not really effective for LONG-TERM weigh-loss as a result of the subsequent metabolic changes and need to eat more. Exercise is certainly part of overall health, just not sustainable weight loss. Probably 30% of triathletes are overweight. Doc himself was overweight and diabetic running 3-4 miles each day, eating his “healthy whole grains” and low-fat meals.

Uh, Nicole? I only ate organic whole grain bread, organic brown rice.
Organic veggies, work outside all day on an off grid ranch in the wilderness, no fast food or processed food. No red meat.
I still had the wheat belly, so … thanks but no thanks!

I pretty much eat the same healthy food I have since I first tried being a vegetarian in the late 1970’s
but now no grains, period!

I do not have a doctor or a dietitian, I’m a broke ranch hand in the wilderness.
Your advice is simply useless to me and probably completely wrong to boot.

Eating the wheat belly book way has dramatically improved my life in a very short time, you can pry my breakfast bowl of raw sunflower-seeds, handful of raspberries , chopped raw almonds, raw cashews and two table spoons of cottage cheese from my cold dead hands!

I started this diet 24 days ago and have already lost 8 lbs. I had to reduce my diabetes meds due to lowered blood glucose levels. My doctor is enthusiastic about my efforts but really, its been pretty easy. The main thing for me is the lack of cravings. I never would have guessed that cutting out the wheat would reduce my cravings for sweets. Without the cravings I’ve been able to make smarter food choices. This is the first diet Ive tried that was simple to live with. I started putting on weight with perimenapause and cessation of smoking. In all I gained 75 lbs. For the first time I feel hopeful about getting back to my old self.
My guilty pleasures include dark chocolate slices dipped in cashew butter and no sugar added ice cream, but I eat these things in moderation.

Good things happening here since changing our eating
1. 10 yo daughter – dandruff (cradle cap like) gone
2. 15 yo son – peak flow meter from 300 to 400-450
Top of shoulder rash w/ sm pimples – the pink to med pink of rash gone pimples slightly less
Weight – stomach looks smaller so I will have him weigh soon I don’t want that to be his total focus of why we are doing this because it isn’t. The main reason is his Asthma,Hives,Angioedema and constant congestion since about 3mo old. (Lots of verbal pats on the head and first time mom on the congestion and idiopathic was the answer for the other. I don’t like the word idiopathic there is a reason for everything but not always the right questions)
So I would like to thank you Dr Davis for asking the right questions for us and getting us the answers.

I think Dr. Davis and everyone else might appreciate this: According to Jewish tradition, the fruit of knowledge, eaten by Adam and Eve was actually wheat, not an apple. Interestingly, the punishment for eating it was that life now comes to an end instead of immortality.

Ive been wheat free for two months now and haven’t lost an ounce. I eat very little (mostly whole foods) and I have noticed that my appetite has decreased but the weight hasnt budged. I never carried my weight in my belly though, I’m thigh heavy :)
I do know I have iron and thyroid issues and those are what started me on this wheat free journey in the first place.

I had gone to my doctor with a complaint that they have heard
from me in the past… I don’t officially have IBS but have suffered
Gastro issues for as long as I can remember (it’s hereditary). I
believe I suffer from what some call “leaky gut”. I get gas that is
uncontrollable and I don’t know it’s happening. I went to
the doctor with just thoughts of not wanting to exist due to my
issues. My doc prescribed me with Wellbutrin, told me to take
Align and eliminate wheat for 3 weeks. I recently had to have
some polyps removed (non-cancerous) from my intestines. The
whole reason I was referred to the gastro Doc for colonoscopy was
because I was bleeding out. They found Polyps at this time. I am now
on the 5 yr plan. I am 38. I know this is long (sorry), I went wheat
Free for 3 weeks and it was such a difference that I had to research
this more and found Wheat Belly which also led me to the cookbook.
Looking forward to completely going into this now. I fell off on
Xmas and noticed the awful feeling right back. I am starting back and
will hopefully report back with a great weight loss. BtW, I didn’t end up
Taking the Wellbutrin because I felt better with just removing the
Wheat. Hoping continuing this will help with my menstrual cycle
and hormonal ups and downs. Was thinking I was also going through
early menopause as I have been on such a rollercoaster ride of
emotions. For those of you that have lost weight, do you track
calories or are you just eating better without tracking? I have
always had to track everything precisely to lose an ounce. I am
happy to move forward without drugs/meds and can’t wait to feel
great in New Year!

Isn’t it a wonder, April, that wheat elimination isn’t the DEFAULT first response rather than procedures and drugs? It might have spared you plenty of aggravation and expense.

Very few people benefit by counting calories on this lifestyle. If you do, you will likely find that the reduced hunger of elimination the gliadin opiate of wheat results in a drop in calorie intake of 400-800 calories per day.

Yes, I hate how doctor’s push drugs so much. So glad I didn’t end up taking them. It’s just not me. I am so thrilled to have found this! Incidentally, I have made the Almond Crusted Chicken tonight-fabulous! Just like fried chicken only without that awful feeling. I didn’t chop the almonds as fine and the almonds gave an excellent crust that browned just enough. Yay- no cardboard! Can’t wait to cook more. The recipes all look good. Thanks so much.

I have just made your basic bread recipie twice. We are all finding that it tastes like eggs and oil. It is ok toasted and smothered in marmalade, but the nutty almond egg flavour permeates and just tastes so odd. Is it that we’re just not used to it? Do you have other breads with different flours and less eggs?

Hi,
I have read through this thread and, after reading all of your inspiring stories, I am interested in trying the wheat-free lifestyle. I have tried to go “gluten free” a couple of times, but I’ve found even a lot of the products labeled “gluten free” still contain wheat, even if they are labeled things like “quinoa pasta.” I have succeeded in going vegan and I’m interested in eliminating wheat out of my diet as well. I don’t want to add dairy back into my diet because I was having some pretty serious adult acne on my face and neck and since I have gone off dairy, I haven’t had any break-outs. Also, I get this eczema on my inner left elbow and I’ve noticed that it has disappeared in the month that I have been dairy-free. I think I may be allergic to dairy, or at least I am allergic to whatever is in processed dairy products. I tried drinking Horizon organic milk and that helped a little bit, but my acne has completely disappeared since I switched to almond milk.

I think I can commit to getting off wheat for at least 2-3 weeks. I still have migraine headaches, which are getting more frequent and which are lasting longer. The only thing I can do to get rid of them is to drink a bunch of coffee and take Aleve. I have thyroid issues and I am overweight and would like to lose about 30 pounds. I have a small-medium frame, so “overweight” for me is being a U.S. size 6-8 and I would like to get back down to a 2 or a 4.

From the reading I have been doing, it looks like there is such a thing as a wheat-free vegan. I have found some blogs with some recipes, and fortunately, I like to cook. I was diagnosed with IBS at 18 and the doctor’s solution was more “whole grain” high-fiber foods, stool softeners and Metamucil, which I did for a long time. I went on a low-carb diet several years ago and I lost a lot of weight, but I slowly gained most of it back over the last three or so years. Recently, I have been taking a probiotic from Whole Foods instead and upping my water intake. I do try to avoid processed white bread and white pasta as much as possible and I have been avoiding fast food and pizza as much as possible since going vegan. I am willing to give up my store-bought veggie burgers since I found some recipes on blogs to make my own.

Since they started using genetically modified wheat in the 70s and 80s, that means I have likely never had traditional wheat at any point in my life.

> I have tried to go “gluten free” a couple of times, but I’ve found even a lot of the
> products labeled “gluten free” still contain wheat, …

They are high glycemic trash even without the wheat.

> I have succeeded in going vegan …

Why?
If for theoretical reasons (you think it’s an optimal diet), you have been misled.
If for philosophical reasons, know that you are making it much harder to get all the nutrition you need.

> I don’t want to add dairy back into my diet because …

Reconsider re-challenging the dairy many months after having been wheat-free and low carb (esp. very low/no fructose). It could be an intestinal porosity issue rather than an actual allergy, and that takes time to heal.

> I think I can commit to getting off wheat for at least 2-3 weeks.

3 weeks is usually enough to detect results, if there are no confounding factors, but you have one confounding factor …

> I have thyroid issues …

Has your thryoid been competently assessed (e.g. do you know your free T3 and free T4, for example), and how is it being treated?

> I went on a low-carb diet several years ago and I lost a lot of weight, but I slowly
> gained most of it back over the last three or so years.

If any of the carbs were gluten-bearing grains or fructose, that is an all too common outcome for a non-specific low carb diet not informed about the peculiar hazards of wheat and fructose.

> Since they started using genetically modified wheat in the 70s and 80s,

It’s not GM [yet] according to the industry’s own narrow definition (explicit gene insertion). What was done instead was recklessly random gene insertion by a multitude of other means

> that means I have likely never had traditional wheat at any point in my life.

If you ate heirlooms at the same levels people consume modern semi-dwarf hybrid, the results would be only modestly less awful. Eating wheat has always been a mistake. Eating carbs of any kind, in high amounts, all year round, has also been a mistake.